Crown wraps up case against Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, defence presents its side
Tamara Lich’s defence lawyers say there’s no evidence to support that she and fellow Freedom Convoy organizer Chris Barber were co-conspirators because their actions weren’t illegal.
On Nov. 20, the Crown wrapped up its case against Lich and Barber. They were charged with mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief, and intimidation for their part in the Ottawa February 2022 protests.
The Crown claims the two worked closely together and said evidence against one of them should apply to the other.
Lich’s lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the Crown’s application because the Crown hasn’t proven that Lich and Barber agreed to protest the COVID-19 mandates by illegal means.
On Nov. 27, the defence argued its case saying evidence applying to one of the accused shouldn’t be used against both.
Several text messages taken from Barber’s cellphone, which were previously sealed by the Superior Court of Justice, were unsealed Nov. 27. They are conversations between Lich and Barber about logistics and fundraising before their Jan. 29, 2022, arrival in Ottawa.
In texts, Lich told Barber that Pat King had to “control his rhetoric.” The texts show that communication between King and Barber stopped just after protesters arrived in Ottawa.
Defence argued that the texts show there was a divergence in protesters’ objectives and a struggle for leadership. He also pointed out how Lich referred to the protests as a peaceful, family-friendly event and told protesters to report anyone who made threats or spread hate to police.
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